From Triathlon to Marathon: Alex Yee’s Impressive 14th Place Finish in London

Alex Yee’s Stunning London Marathon Debut: A Record-Breaking Run at 2:11:08

Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee made headlines with a stunning marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon, finishing 14th in the elite men’s race. Yee crossed the line in 2:11:08, setting a new record for the fastest marathon ever run by an Olympic triathlete. As the second British finisher, Yee showcased his endurance and determination, steadily moving up the ranks after a strong start. His performance not only impressed fans but also marked a significant milestone in British distance running. “I’m immensely proud,” Yee said, reflecting on his achievement.

The race was won by Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe in 2:02:27, but Yee’s remarkable debut has set the stage for an exciting future in marathon running. Discover how Alex Yee’s London Marathon journey is inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Alex Yee’s Time Splits and Progression

Alex Yee’s race splits and positions at key checkpoints were as follows:

Split	Time	Split Time	Pace (min/km)	Speed (km/h)	Position
5K	00:15:12	15:12	03:03	19.74	20
10K	00:30:33	15:21	03:05	19.55	22
15K	00:45:41	15:08	03:02	19.81	22
20K	01:01:01	15:20	03:04	19.57	22
Half	01:04:19	03:18	03:01	19.95	22
25K	01:16:09	11:50	03:02	19.79	21
30K	01:31:45	15:36	03:08	19.23	18
35K	01:47:49	16:04	03:13	18.68	16
40K	02:04:04	16:15	03:15	18.46	16
Finish	02:11:08	07:04	03:14	18.60	14

Race Breakdown: Yee’s 2:11:08 Journey

Alex Yee expressed pride in his performance, stating:

“I’m just immensely proud… Once I got to 32, 33k there’s a lot of pain there. My legs are cramping and I just had to keep fighting through that. And yeah, (I’m) pretty proud to get to the finish line.”

Summary Table: Top 15 Elite Men

Position	Name	Country	Time
1	Sabastian Sawe	KEN	2:02:27
2	Jacob Kiplimo	UGA	2:03:37
3	Alexander Mutiso Munyao	KEN	2:04:20
4	Abdi Nageeye	NED	2:04:20
5	Tamirat Tola	ETH	2:04:42
6	Eliud Kipchoge	KEN	2:05:25
7	Hillary Kipkoech	KEN	2:06:05
8	Amanal Petros	GER	2:06:30
9	Mahamed Mahamed	GBR	2:08:52
10	Milkesa Mengesha	ETH	2:09:01
…	…	…	…
14	Alex Yee	GBR	2:11:08

The Olympic Champion Takes on London

Yee entered the London Marathon carrying considerable pedigree as one of Britain’s most accomplished triathletes. The Tokyo 2020 gold medalist (Mixed Team Relay) and silver medalist (Individual) chose the iconic London course for his 26.2-mile debut, tackling the marathon distance in a competitive setting for the first time.

The decision to compete in London likely stemmed from multiple factors: testing his pure running endurance, embracing the challenge of a new distance, and competing on home soil in front of supportive crowds. The London Marathon, with its prestigious status and deep elite field, provided the perfect setting for Yee to stretch his running capabilities beyond the 10km distance typically featured in triathlons.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Debut – Triathlete vs. Marathoner

Performance Significance

Yee’s 2:11:08 performance is exceptional when viewed through multiple lenses. For marathon debutants, breaking 2:15 represents a rare accomplishment that typically signals legitimate elite marathon potential. For context, many professional runners spend years attempting to break this barrier.

The performance also stands as one of the fastest marathon debuts by a British athlete in recent years, particularly impressive coming from an athlete whose primary training focus remains the shorter triathlon distances.

The Triathlete Factor

Yee’s transition from triathlon to marathon success can be attributed to several key factors, but also required overcoming significant discipline-specific challenges.

His triathlon background provided clear advantages: an exceptional aerobic engine developed through multi-sport training, mental toughness from competing across swimming, cycling, and running disciplines, and experience managing energy systems and nutrition during extended competitions.

However, the transition presents unique physical challenges that make his performance even more noteworthy. Marathon running imposes significantly different musculoskeletal demands compared to triathlon running. While triathletes run 10km following cycling, marathoners must endure 42.2km of continuous running impact forces. This requires specific adaptations in muscle fiber recruitment, bone density, and connective tissue resilience—adaptations that typically develop over years of specialized marathon training.

The fueling strategy also differs substantially. In triathlon, athletes distribute energy expenditure across three disciplines and can refuel during transitions. Marathon running demands continuous energy output in a single modality with precisely timed fueling to avoid both depletion and gastrointestinal distress—an art form Yee appears to have mastered quickly.

Historical Context

Yee’s performance stands out even when compared to other high-profile crossover athletes. While triathletes generally possess strong running capabilities, few have successfully transitioned to elite marathon performances, particularly in their debut attempts. His sub-2:15 places him in rare company among multi-sport athletes venturing into pure marathon competition.

Reaction & Perspective

“I came into this with respect for the distance, but I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for marathon specialists,” Yee likely reflected after his finish. “The support around London was incredible—hearing people cheer gave me energy when things got tough in those final miles. This was as much a mental challenge as a physical one, but I’m really pleased with how my body responded to the distance.”

The performance has undoubtedly captured attention across both the triathlon and marathon communities. Marathon specialists have reason to be impressed by Yee’s natural aptitude for the distance, while the triathlon world gains further evidence of the exceptional running capabilities within their elite ranks.

The Price of Ambition: Post-Marathon Recovery Challenges

Despite the euphoria of his remarkable debut performance, Yee’s marathon journey took an unexpected turn in the weeks following London. The Olympic champion revealed he had sustained what he described as a “small acute overload injury” during his historic run—a sobering reminder that even the most elite athletes are not immune to the physical demands of marathon racing. This setback marked a rare interruption in Yee’s otherwise remarkably consistent training regime, highlighting the unique stresses that marathon running places on the body, even for athletes of his caliber.

The injury revelation provides crucial context to his 2:11:08 performance, suggesting that Yee may have pushed his body to its absolute limits to achieve such an impressive debut time. For an athlete who had largely avoided significant injuries since his career-threatening crash in 2019, this overload injury served as a humbling reminder of the marathon’s unforgiving nature and the importance of respecting the 26.2-mile distance.

Mental Resilience: Drawing Strength from Adversity

Yee’s response to his post-marathon injury exemplifies the mental fortitude that has defined his career. Initially admitting to feeling “down” and experiencing a “constant urgency to get back,” the champion demonstrated remarkable psychological growth by transforming his frustration into gratitude and philosophical reflection. His approach to this setback reveals the maturity and wisdom gained from previous experiences with adversity, particularly his recovery from the life-threatening crash in Cagliari, Italy, at age 19.

Drawing inspiration from martial arts legend Bruce Lee, Yee adopted the philosophy of not praying for an easy life but rather for the strength to endure difficulties. This mindset shift from impatience to appreciation—being grateful for his ability to push his body and recognizing the challenge as an opportunity—demonstrates the psychological resilience that separates true champions from merely talented athletes. His declaration that “this year isn’t done” reflects an unwavering determination to return to competition stronger than before.

The Broader Impact: Redefining Athletic Versatility

Yee’s marathon debut has significant implications beyond his personal achievement, potentially reshaping perceptions about the transferability of endurance skills across disciplines. His sub-2:15 performance challenges traditional thinking about sport specialization, demonstrating that world-class athletes can excel across multiple endurance disciplines with proper preparation and natural talent. This crossover success may inspire other triathletes to test their capabilities over the marathon distance, while also garnering respect from marathon purists who might have previously dismissed triathlete running capabilities.

The performance also raises intriguing questions about Yee’s future competitive strategy. With Olympic success already secured in triathlon and clear marathon potential demonstrated, he faces the enviable yet challenging decision of how to balance his athletic focus. Whether he pursues marathon running as supplementary training for triathlon or develops it as a parallel competitive avenue could significantly impact both his legacy and the evolution of endurance sport crossover attempts.

Looking Forward: Lessons Learned and Future Potential

The combination of Yee’s impressive debut performance and subsequent injury provides valuable insights into the marathon transition process for elite triathletes. His experience illustrates both the possibilities and pitfalls of crossing disciplines at the highest level, offering a roadmap for future athletes considering similar ventures. The injury, while unfortunate, may prove beneficial in the long term by forcing Yee to develop more marathon-specific preparation strategies and recovery protocols.

As Yee works through his rehabilitation with characteristic determination, the endurance sports community watches with keen interest. His recovery process and eventual return to competition—whether in triathlon, marathon, or both—will likely influence how elite endurance athletes approach discipline crossovers. The question remains whether his London Marathon debut represents a one-time exploration or the beginning of a new chapter in an already illustrious career. Regardless of the path he chooses, Yee has already proven that the boundaries between endurance disciplines are more fluid than previously imagined.

Conclusion

Alex Yee’s 2:11:08 marathon debut represents a remarkable achievement for an athlete primarily focused on triathlon competition. Finishing 14th in a race of London’s caliber underscores the exceptional versatility and raw endurance capabilities he possesses.

The performance suggests Yee exists in rare athletic territory—capable of Olympic success in one endurance discipline while demonstrating elite capabilities in another. Whether this marathon serves primarily as Olympic preparation or the beginning of a dual focus remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Alex Yee has announced himself as a formidable presence in whatever endurance challenge he chooses to tackle.